Just Had This Conversation...

The Saint (walking into the kitchen while I'm doing dishes): A bud, Mom, a bud!

Me: A Bird?

The Saint: No, a bud!

Me: Oh, a bug...where?

The Saint: In mine hand. (as he reaches out to hand me the ant, still alive between his thumb & finger)

The Saint Said... (2nd post today)

The other day, we were sitting at the dinner table. I'm not sure, but I think we were talking about Lent. The Saint piped up & said, "Jesus, die on cross." I told him that was right & that Jesus died to save us. He adamantly said, "No..save ME!"

Soooooo...if a 2 1/2 year old knows that Jesus is his Savior, what's holding back the rest of the world?

Kids Say the Darndest Things

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The Saint has been broadening his vocabulary in the past couple months, so today I think I'll share some of his versions of various words.

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Dadden = Daddy
nack = snack
dih dit = cheese stick
lid-dah-lih = Legos
Doh-ra = Dora the Explorer
Helloh = Hello
Dute = Duke (the dog that lives behind us)
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dat-dats = nunchuck (for the Wii controller - Yesterday he came up to Dadden, saying that & pointing to the end of the Wii controller. It took a bit, but once we said nunchuck, he smiled & ran to the shelf.)
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Whenever we tell him that we love him, he says, "Ooo too!"
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I'm sure there are many more that he says & many more cute things that he will say, so I guess you'll just have to stay tuned for more of The Saint sayings!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

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WOW! This has been a busy week. I've not posted anything since last Friday. Hopefully I'll be back on track next week.

Here's my post for Mystical Rose Design's weekly Blog Hop. Click the above link if you'd like to see more.

We started saying prayers w/ the munchkins from the very beginning. Even when they were just infants, I would rock them at night & say prayers out loud for them. The Saint knows exactly what to do & as soon as we sit in the rocker, he puts his hands together & says, "A-NAN," (his version of "AMEN.") We're working on the Sign of the Cross w/ him, but for some reason he can't past his forehead. He just keeps hitting it w/ the palm of his hand.

Once The Archangel started saying them w/ us, it was always cute to hear his words for the prayers. For example, when we got to the Hail Mary, instead of saying "pray for us sinners" he would say "play with us sinners."

Kids Say the Darndest Things Fridays!

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A couple weeks ago, Lucy at Mystical Rose Design invited me to join this new meme of hers. I don't think you need any explanation as to what this meme will be about, do you? What a great idea &, w/ four munchkins, I have plenty of quips & quotes from them! So here goes my first installation of...

"KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS FRIDAYS!"

A couple Sundays ago, The Princess was keeping me company while I was getting dressed for church. As I pulled on my panty hose, she noticed the big hole at the top & asked me about it. I told her that I snagged them the first time I wore them, but, because it was at the top, it would be covered by my clothes. Innocently, batting her beautiful brown eyes, she responded, "I know what happened, Mommy. Your bottom is too big!"

Munchkin School Time

The Prophet just asked if he could take a break from school & teach The Princess while I make lunch. I said that would be fine. The Archangel wanted to join them. As the three of them headed into the living room I heard The Prophet say, "We'll have Circle Time first, but actually it will be Triangle Time. You sit there, you sit there, & I'll sit there to make a triangle!"

Munchkin Speak & Unwanted Guests

Okay, before I get to The Archangel's comment, here is the back story...

Our back door & frame needs to be replaced. Over the past 12 years, since our house was built, a lot of water has been trapped somehow & the wood is rotted. Even the floor near the door is weakened. At one spot, there is a hole where the vinyl flooring has separated from the frame. In addition to this issue, we have a mouse who has moved into said hole, who can be heard & seen scratching the woodwork. Thankfully this tenant of ours (who won't pay us any rent, by the way!) has not managed to get into the kitchen...YET.

Last night, I was inspecting this hole & happened to see a couple of small pieces of cheese in it. So, not only is this mouse NOT paying us any rent, but someone has been feeding it! I asked the munchkins about it this morning & none of them fessed up to the crime. The Archangel did say that he saw The Saint do it. When asked why he didn't say anything to us, he said that he forgot. "I forget things, even when I'm thinking about them and sleeping!"

Future Leaders

Well, the munchkins have been full of interesting conversations lately. Take today, for instance...

The Princess: "Hey guys! I know what you can do. When you're adults, you can both be presidents. (The Saint) can be the king of the presidents."

The Prophet: "If I were president, I'd erase the economy."

The Archangel: "If I were president, I'd erase school."

The Prophet: "No one would vote for you because Moms & Dads want kids to be in school."

A Logical Question...

Heard in the van on the way to the doctor this morning:

The Princess - "Are we on the highway?"

Me - "Nope."

The Princess - "Are we on the low-way?"

Munchkin-Speak

Heard around our house this afternoon...

The Archangel (while vacuuming the living room): "I know why I had to mow the living room a lot..."

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The Princess (while coloring & the color wouldn't show up): "C'mon! Show your pinkness!"

Christmas in July!

I'm listening to Harry Connick, Jr.'s Only You Cd right now. It's a compilation of romantic big band & orchestra standards from the 50s & 60s. The Princess came downstairs & asked why I was listening to Christmas music. The Prophet asked me the same thing the other day. They recognized his voice from his When My Heart Finds Christmas CD, one of my favorites that we listen to a lot during the Christmas season.

A New Breed of Insect

This evening, The Princess was looking out our front window & exclaimed, "Look, there's a Japaneetle!"

More from the Munchkins!

The other night, I went into The Princess' room to tuck her into bed. All of her stuffed animals & dolls were strewn about the floor, so I had her put them away. She did so w/ no complaint. However, as she was putting them back on the shelf, the following conversation took place:

P: These dolls are giving me a head-ack!
ME: Why are the dolls giving you a headache?
P: There are just too many of them.
ME: Well, if you see any that you'd like to give away, just let me know.

She gave me one & put the rest away. While she was finishing, I happened to notice that her fitted sheet had pulled away from the mattress. As I was fixing it, our little conversation took a different turn:

P: You're the best Mommy in this house.
ME: Thank you! But, I am the only Mommy in this house.
P: If there were more Mommies & Daddies in this house, I'd get a head-ack!

Am I not giving her enough Tylenol or does she just have a sensitive head?!?

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On to The Saint: A few days ago, he was sitting on my lap while I was eating some of Aldi's nacho chips (think Doritos, but about 1/3 of the price & they don't taste much different either - just as addicting!) He watched very carefully as I was eating each chip. Soon, after each bite, he would place his hands on both my cheeks, pull me towards him, & lick my lips -- the same way a puppy laps up its water. I guess I didn't need that napkin after all!!

The Sounds & Sights of Summer

Ahhh...the sounds of Summer vacation! You know the ones - children squealing w/ delight as they chase each other around the yard, balls bouncing in driveways throughout the neighborhood, doors slamming as said children run in & out & in & out &..., the music box jingle of the ice cream truck.

And what about the sights of summer - barefeet running across freshly mowed grass, blankets spread on the grass as children enjoy an outdoor treat, bikes & toys littering the driveways & yards.

In our neighborhood, our munchkins squeal at yet another sight. Heard from The Archangel early this evening, "Look, it's the pizza man!" He thought he was coming around just like the ice cream truck does. Not a bad idea to Casinodad, our resident pizza addict!

The Princess Speaks Again (Part 2)

When I went up to put the munchkins to bed this evening, I walked into The Princess' room & noticed that her curtains had been pulled down. They're just up on a tension rod, so occasionally they end up on the floor. I asked why they were down tonight. She said she didn't do it. "It must have been the wind." My response, "How can the wind blow down the curtains when the window is closed?" Casinodad, heard from down the hall, "Something more for you to put on your blog!"

The Princess Speaks Again!

After a long, fun day spent mostly outside, we all just finished our rounds of showers & are preparing for bed. The Princess & I took a shower together. I never knew there were such pretty pink feet beneath all that black dirt!!! Thankfully I had some Avon foot scrub (Tropical Coconut scented) to use on her feet. It still didn't get everything off, but they are definitely much better.

As we were getting dried off, I commented that I had a headache. Sincerely she said, "I'm sorry." I asked why she was sorry & she said, "I gave it to you." I told her that it wasn't her fault, it was just a heat headache. Again, she said she was sorry she gave it to me.

Then, I went to clean out her ears. How hers get so dirty, I'll never know! It takes two Q-Tips for her - one for each ear. I sat her on the edge of the sink & told her I was going to clean them out. She said innocently, "With a toothpick?"

(And just to be clear - No, I have never & would never use a toothpick to clean out my child's ears!!!)

Background Music

I'm sitting here at the computer, nursing The Saint, perusing various blogs, & half-listening to The Princess in the next room. She likes to sing & makes up her own songs in her beautiful little voice, providing her own percussion (tapping the desk). I didn't catch all the words to her song, but the following was all I needed to hear:

"And God created us!"

I Think He's Ready

Last night, Casinodad went out w/ a co-worker to dinner & to see the new Star Trek movie. While he was gone, I let the munchkins stay up a little later & watch a Scooby-Doo movie. I put them to bed about 9:15. The Archangel & The Princess fell asleep right away. About 9:35, while I was watching TV & nursing The Saint, the Prophet came down, unable to fall asleep. He occasionally has trouble sleeping - nothing serious, just a typical 8 yr. old w/ a lot of thoughts running through his head. Sometimes we let him stay down w/ us for a while, so I did that last night.

I turned off the TV & asked if he wanted me to read his new book, Joseph & Chico. So, as I continued to feed The Saint, I read a part of the book. (It's really cute so far!)

Afterwards, we had a nice talk. I had decided to talk to him about something I'd read in both Rediscovering Catholicism & Raising Better Families (both by Matthew Kelly). A recurring theme in his books is to ask yourself it what you do/say/think/etc. is helping you become a best-version-of-yourself. So, The Prophet & I talked about thinking before acting. I used various examples of his siblings accidently hurting him & whether he should retaliate or not. We also applied this to food (esp. Mommy & her chocolate - which, I think does help my sanity & stress levels!!) I started to mention another example when he said that he knew of something that would help make us the best-version-of-ourselves - The Body & Blood of Jesus.

Yep, I'd say he's ready for his First Holy Communion on Saturday!

P.S. - After some more interesting discussions, I took him & The Saint up to bed. I came back down & was writing out the above so that I would remember it this morning. I heard a couple of thumps upstairs & went up to investigate. When I got into the boys' room, The Prophet was sitting on The Archangel's bed tucking his covers between the bed & wall. The Archangel had fallen out of bed & The Prophet thought tucking the covers in would help so he wouldn't do it again.

There are times when these munchkins drive be so crazy & I question whether we're good parents (like our shopping trip to Aldi today). Then, there are these moments of tenderness & compassion that bring tears to my eyes. Somehow, something is going right!

Archangel Ponderings

Most nights, before the munchkins go to bed & after we've said our family prayers, I will read a bedtime story. The book I'm currently using is Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories Volume One (published in 1950). I've had the first five volumes of these stories since I was a little girl. They are nice, wholesome stories about children just like ours. Sure, some of the topics are a bit outdated, but that just makes for some good discussions & reflections afterwards.

The other night, I read the story God's Great Kingdom Part 1: How Big it Is. The Prophet enjoyed it because it tied in w/ some of our science about our solar system. I also had to make a side note to the munchkins. In this story, the young boy asked Mamma if anyone had every flown off the world & gone to the moon. Mamma said no because there is little air to breath & that it would take "an airplane traveling at three hundred miles an hour more than a month to get there." She also mentioned that an airplane, traveling at the same rate would take more than 50 years to get to the sun. (As I said, this was from 1950!)

Once I was finished reading, the munchkins came up with some wonderful discussion questions & for once it was not an attempt to stall their bedtime. The Archangel especially had some good questions/comments -

Him: I wish Jesus was still alive so He could come to my party.

Me: But He is alive & was there in the hearts of everyone who was there.

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Him: We must be like a tiny spot in God's hands.

Me: Yes, but He can see all.

Him: Does God talk?

Me: Yes.

Him: But, if we were in Heaven, we wouldn't be able to hear Him because we are so small.

Me: We'd still be able to hear Him. He speaks to us all the time, we just need to listen. And, we don't always hear w/ our ears, we hear w/ our...

Him: ...hearts!

Birthday Updates!

Because I was not online much during Lent, I neglected to post about The Princess' birthday. She turned four in February - although it seems like she went straight from 3 to 13 :( She's grown into such a loving, sweet young lady. She loves to wear dresses, but at the same time can be found making just as big a muddy mess as her brothers. She's eager to please & very sensitive. Just one look, the wrong way, can set her to tears. Yet, she's always there to comfort & console. If I'm lying on the couch, exhausted after a long day (believe it or not, exhaustion does happen at times to a homeschooling mother of four!), she'll come up, place her hand on my cheek, & say, "Poor Mommy." She's always watching out for her baby brother, quick to let us know if he's somewhere he shouldn't be or about to put something in his mouth. She also loves to color & will go through coloring books & paper faster than you can say "Crayola!"

So, Happy Belated Blog-posted Birthday to my dear, sweet Princess! You've been a wonderful blessing to our family & we love you lots!

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Casinodad had a birthday in April. He turned thirty-something! He has been such a wonderful gift to the munchkins & me. He is a great husband to me & father to our munchkins. He works hard to provide for us & still manages to find time to play with the munchkins. He's such faith-filled inspiration to me. This year, I sent letters to his mom & dad in honor of his birthday. I wanted to thank them for all they've done to shape him into the wonderful husband & father he's become. Without their love, guidance, & examples, he would not be the man he is today. I thank God daily for bringing him into my life. I'm a better person for knowing him.

Happy birthday, my love!

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Yet another birthday in the family was The Archangel's, also in April. He turned six. My how the time flies! What a joy he has been for our family. He always keeps us on our toes. He's always been our child of a thousand faces, as his expressions can change in a split-second. He is a ball of energy throughout the day, but at night he crashes into bed. He's finishing up Kindergarten & has been doing quite well. He loves his school work & is already reading on a 4th grade level. He's traded Thomas the Tank Engine for Legos & Super Mario Brothers. For his birthday, he wanted Bullet Bill (a character from Super Mario Bros.) for his cake. So, I once again pulled out the dome shaped cake pan. If you look closely, you can see the Bullet Bill action figure next to the cake. (And yes, those are Storm Trooper Mr. Potato Head arms!)

Happy Sixth Birthday to my Little Man! We're blessed to have you! Lots of love to you!

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Oh yeah! I had a birthday in February also. Just another thirty-something, but not too long before it becomes forty-something! I don't have any pictures, but Casinodad took me to Logan's Steakhouse for dinner. Delicious! It was so fun to watch the munchkins w/ the peanuts. They'd open up the shell, eat the nut, then toss the shells over their shoulders. They loved it. And it was fun for me to see them so happy making a mess that neither they nor I would have to clean up!